Oil and gas corporation Total has officially launched its “Start-up Challenge of the Year”, organized in nearly 60 countries.

In a bid to energize startup ideas, “Start-up Challenge of Year” was first held in more than 30 African countries in 2015 and made a splash. Following that success, Total this year decided to take the competition to a larger scale, in nearly 60 countries on four continents.

As one of the countries in Asia with exciting startups, Vietnam was selected as the first country to launch this second season of the contest.

The 2018-2019 “Start-up Challenge of the Year” aims to encourage and reward young entrepreneurs in all fields as well as startup projects. A jury consisting of a team of experts from Total and prestigious individuals in the business community in general as well as in the field of start-up in particular will judge entries in every country.

Judges will select three winning projects based on the following criteria: novelty, creativity, ability to positively impact society and the community, feasibility, and development potential.

Each winning project will receive the title “Start-up Challenge of the Year” from Total, financial support of at least VND135 million ($5,800), and training from experts.

Organizers have introduced the “Top Female Entrepreneur” award for the first time this year, as a way for Total to encourage more businesswomen to enter the contest.

More than just a startup contest, “Start-up Challenge of the Year” affirms Total’s commitment to contributing and building the economies of countries where the corporation is present. By helping young entrepreneurs realize their entrepreneurial ideas, the contest aims to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and promote breakthrough ideas that help improve quality of life in Vietnam. Registrations started on October 9 and will close on November 13, at https://startupper.total.com/vn/challenges/startupper-total.

Total was established in 1924 and is constantly growing, becoming one of the five largest oil and gas corporations in the world. It is present in more than 130 countries across five continents, has over 98,000 employees, and is committed to bringing better, safer, more efficient, and more accessible energy. Total also aims to contribute to economic, social and environmental development.

Total Vietnam has been present in Vietnam since the 1990s and now has over 600 employees and seven factories specializing in liquefied petroleum gas, lubricants and gasoline.